If you’re looking for a program to quickly help you learn the necessary skills to land your dream job without having to enroll in college, it may be beneficial to enlist in a bootcamp. In the last few years, bootcamps have become incredibly popular. In 2020, 44,254 people attended or graduated from bootcamps – a 30.2% increase over the prior year.

Online bootcamps teach students the technical skills necessary to pursue a career in information technology and other relevant industries. Unlike traditional college degrees or certifications, these training programs are much shorter and often cost far less. Who doesn’t want to learn in-demand skills and spend less money in the process? After all, the goal is to make money, not spend money learning the ropes. Naturally, the perks of an online bootcamp are especially appealing to people who are interested in launching their career quickly from the comfort of their own home.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the computer and information technology industry is expected to see an additional half a million new jobs added over the next decade - which amounts to a growth rate of 11 percent, much higher than the average of 4 percent in other career fields. There are more than 65 bootcamps in the United States, which means you have a lot of options when choosing an online bootcamp. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to choose a bootcamp online and go over some key questions you should ask yourself when making the decision.

Bootcamp Basics

The word “bootcamp” is most often associated with military training. However, bootcamp is defined as a short, intensive, and rigorous course of training. It’s an accelerated learning program designed to provide aspiring or current professionals with the skills employers want. Although bootcamps aren't necessarily meant to take the p

Today, it feels like there are almost too many ways to educate yourself. Between online courses, informal self-education, in-person instruction and traditional college curriculums, there’s no shortage of ways to gain knowledge in key fields.

Among other options, self-paced education is an excellent way to accelerate your growth in key skill areas. Self-paced education can help you grow your career, find new opportunities and future-proof your job and your income.

If you’re looking for a path to a six-figure career, but you need to learn the skills that today’s employers are looking for, self-paced education can help. In weeks, self-paced education can develop your skills in leading fields — including information technology, cybersecurity and machine learning — to help you level up your career.

What is self-paced education?

Traditional education has a serious problem. It’s designed to benefit everyone — educators, school faculty, investors — except students. Conventional education assumes that a uniform approach will work for all students. Quite obviously, this isn’t the case.

Self-paced education lets students personalize their learning according to their unique needs. It allows students to complete their courses at a speed that’s comfortable for them. As a student participating in self-paced education, you decide how much time you need before you fully understand each lesson.

In other words, self-paced education puts students in control of their rapidly blooming careers.

Think of self-paced education as a series that you can binge-watch on a Saturday. Or, you can finish an episode and rewatch it the next weekend to better understand which particular house has betrayed the king this time around.

6 ways self-paced learning can improve your career

Self-paced learning benefits students in several key areas, enabling global learners at all skill levels to make the most of

When you're looking for a more affordable, convenient way to get an education, an online bootcamp is often the perfect solution. Flexible, convenient and affordable, bootcamps teach students the skills that today’s employers seek.

Bootcamps have exploded in popularity in recent years, and for good reason — they offer many benefits that traditional education doesn't.

In this blog post we'll define what a bootcamp is, discuss the main similarities and differences between bootcamps and a traditional college education and identify some concrete ways that a bootcamp can improve your skillset and deepen your education.

What is an online bootcamp?

An online bootcamp is a short-term, intensive educational program that focuses on teaching students the practical skills they need to succeed in their chosen field.

The aim of an educational bootcamp is to get you up to speed in your chosen field as quickly and efficiently as possible.

By contrast, traditional education models often emphasize theory over practice, and can take years to complete.

The primary benefit of choosing a bootcamp over a traditional college education is the time commitment.

While a four-year degree can take upwards of eight years to complete if you factor in taking classes part-time, most bootcamps can be completed in a number of weeks or less.

This condensed timeline means that you can get started in your chosen field much sooner.

Another major benefit of bootcamps is that they are typically geared towards practical, hands-on learning. This emphasis on real-world applications can give you an edge over your traditional college-educated peers when it comes time to enter the workforce.

So if you’re looking for a quicker, more efficient way to get started in your career, a bootcamp may be the right choice for you.

Online bootcamp vs. college: what are the differences and similarities?

There are a few key w

The right project management certification can do a lot for your career. One certification can help you earn a promotion, land a better job, even deepen your earning power.

Let’s explore the concept of a project management certification — what it is, how it helps and what it could mean for learners like you, on the cusp of a meaningful six-figure career.

What is a project management certification?

A project management certification is an official credential that demonstrates your credibility in successfully implementing and executing project management strategies. Project Management Professionals, also known as PMPs, represent the gold standard in project management certification.

In order to become a PMP, you must first pass an exam administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The best project management certification prep programs help students like you prepare to nail that exam on their first try.

To earn your PMP, you must first meet experience and education requirements, and then pass an exam.

The PMP exam isn’t easy; most students study for months in anticipation. Fortunately, our Essential Project Management Exam Preparation course can help you prepare for your upcoming examination.

Who is a project management certification for?

A project management certification is beneficial for anyone who wants to pursue a career in project management. The same certification can help non-certified project managers deepen their earning power and improve an existing skillset.

Today, many employers prefer to hire candidates who hold an active project management certification.

What will I learn as part of a project management certification?

As part of our exam

Today, aspiring cybersecurity professionals almost have too many options when it comes to learning cybersecurity. Between online courses, college degree programs and unofficial self-training, cyber students can quickly gain the skills they need to join an expanding cybersecurity workforce.

If you’re considering a cybersecurity bootcamp, or wondering whether a cybersecurity bootcamp is worth the price and the time, this article is for you.

What is a cybersecurity bootcamp?

Cybersecurity is the protection of any technology connected to the internet, from cyberattacks and other forms of cybercriminal activity. Phones, computers, tablets and other devices are all subject to cybersecurity risks, which today’s cybersecurity professionals work to mitigate.

To help address today’s most serious cyber threats, today’s cybersecurity professionals often depend on cybersecurity bootcamps — an accelerated cyber education program that teaches fundamental cyber skills.

Cybersecurity bootcamps offer a viable “shortcut” for aspiring cyber professionals, or anyone currently working in cybersecurity looking to deepen their earning power and achieve a more meaningful career.

The best cybersecurity bootcamps typically teach the following skills:

• Understand and identify cyber threats;
• Protect corporations and organizations from security threats;
• Fix system loopholes to protect against cyber attacks;
• Create programs to protect vulnerable data;
• Identify signs that a system is under attack.

These and other learned strategies make quality cybersecurity bootcamps worth your time, money and effort.

Is a cybersecurity bootcamp worth it?

Here’s the quick answer: cybersecurity bootcamps are absolutely worth your investment. A quality cybersecurity bootcamp puts you on an accelerated learning schedule to help you make a career change, achieve better compensation or

When looking for a job, one of the prime things you need to do is stand out from people with similar credentials. Online certifications help you accomplish this goal. These certifications are great if you’re new to the industry or looking to deepen your market skillset.

A quality certificate will improve your earning power and help you reach your career goals. However, because of their importance, there are a plethora of certifications that aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on—let alone what you’re paying to get them!

What is an online certification?

Online certifications are virtual accreditations that demonstrate continued education in a specific field. They are much shorter than degree programs and focus on a singular aspect of an industry. Most bootcamps will only last between a few weeks to a few months, and their price tag is significantly lower than what you would need to pay for a traditional degree.

If you are earning your certification through a university-affiliated program, you can often learn from some of the same instructors teaching degree courses.

Online certifications have gained a significant amount of traction over the last decade. Rather than relying strictly on degree programs from in-person classes, employers have learned their employees can fortify skillsets and experience through online certification programs.

Should I consider an online certification?

Online certificates are usually used as a way to upskill or reskill an employee who already holds years of experience and/or a degree. College students looking to expand their skillset outside of the classroom frequently get them as well. When looking for the best online certificate, it’s important to consider your short and long-term goals.

What are my career goals?

Before beginning any certification program, take the time to consider your needs, and the skills you’re looking to deepen. If you are lo

Cybersecurity is a booming industry, with an estimated 3.5 million job openings. As our lives become more digitally focused, the necessity of digital security is only becoming more relevant. Pursuing a career in cybersecurity is a great way to earn a comfortable living and stay at the forefront of digital evolution.

Starting a career in cybersecurity can be daunting. Fortunately, the right approach allows you to reap the benefits of this industry in weeks – not years.

Today we’re going to take a look at cybersecurity: what it is, why it’s important, the skills you’ll need to succeed and how to get started down a cybersecurity path.

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity involves protecting computer networks and systems from information theft or disclosure alongside potential software, hardware or electronic data damage. Cybersecurity can also mean mitigating misdirection or disruption to the IT services a business provides.

Specific technologies, controls and processes are employed by cybersecurity experts to protect networks, systems, devices, programs and data from malicious or negligent interference. The malicious side of this coin is called a cyber attack. These are instances where nefarious individuals or groups will try to deliberately target a specific network or system.

When people think of cybersecurity, they often envision anti-spyware or antivirus software installed onto a computer or server. In reality, the field is much wider and more comprehensive, made up of different best practices to help preserve the integrity, safety and reliability of digital networks and systems.

Why is cybersecurity important?

Digital and social activity are no longer separate. Today we work, socialize, shop, and relax with the help of digital and online systems.

These practices require the digitization of a range of personal and professional data. E

Finding Time for Work and School — and Sleep

What’s one sentence that you can chime in with in any conversation—and people will immediately think you’ve been listening the whole time?

“It’s all about balance.”

We’re always trying to balance our lives. With so many activities shared between family, friends, employment and health, sometimes we can forget to make time for education.

School and work are often at odds, which is why many students or full-time employees opt for one or the other.

Still, some people choose to pursue both, or they simply don’t have the luxury of picking one.

Education is not only for those who can devote the majority of their day to school. In today’s world, quality education is more accessible than ever.

However, there is still a limited number of hours in the day. How can you provide both education and employment with the time and attention they need — without losing yourself to a vortex of due dates and scheduled work shifts?

Oh, and don’t forget about sleep.

Whether you’re a freshman in college trying to gain a little job experience, or a seasoned professional looking to elevate your resume, finding the right work/study balance is key to achieving your goals.

Here are a few strategies to find a work/life balance that’s just right for you.

Aim for sustainability

In finding the right balance of employment and education, you’re looking for sustainability. This means creating, and maintaining, a schedule that you can return to each day, with enough energy and motivation to make progress in work and in school.

Being consistent is key for sustainability. Forming good habits that keep you motivated make it easier to achieve your goals — no matter what those goals might be.

Regular meals, exercise routines, sleep and important social events shouldn’t be neglected for the sake of work and study. Some of these aspects may look different